Location: Tavara – Lane Estate, West Courtyard
Morning sunlight filtered through the old vines that crawled along the Lane Estate's stone walls. The air was calm—for once. But beneath the surface, a quiet hum of preparation buzzed through the grounds. Staff moved quickly. Surveillance systems were being upgraded. The illusion of peace was just that—an illusion.
Damien stood at the edge of the courtyard, dressed in a crisp dark suit, watching the estate's guards drill in formation. His body still ached from the confrontation with Vincent Blaire, but he ignored it. Pain, to him, was simply another messenger—reminding him of what still needed to be done.
Logan approached, tablet in hand.
"The council passed emergency security reforms. Blaire's offshore accounts have been frozen. Harold's confession gave us everything—the players, the bribes, the names."
Damien nodded, eyes narrowed. "And the names?"
"Some we expected. Some will shake Tavara's foundation when revealed."
Damien took the tablet, scanning the list. His gaze stopped on one entry.
"Thorne Lexar…" he muttered.
Logan's expression darkened. "Former military liaison. Now the head of one of Tavara's most elite tech-defense contractors. And apparently, one of Blaire's earliest backers."
"He's not going to go down quietly," Damien said.
Logan folded his arms. "We'll need more than force for this. Lexar's smart—he plays with shadows."
Damien handed back the tablet. "Then we give him a reason to step into the light."
---
Location: Tavara – Nora's Private Clinic, Hidden Sub-Level
Nora stood before a glass chamber filled with advanced diagnostic equipment, overseeing the healing of one of Damien's injured men. Her clinic, once meant for private elite patients, had transformed into a frontline facility for the allies she now trusted with her life.
Her assistant, Liora, walked in holding a sealed envelope. "It's from the Prime Chairwoman."
Nora took it cautiously, breaking the seal. Her eyes scanned the contents—then slowly, her expression changed.
"She's inviting me to speak at the Global Health Summit," she said. "As a keynote. And as an ambassador of Tavara's stability."
Liora's eyes widened. "That's... a major stage."
Nora folded the letter. "It's also a trap if we're not careful. There are too many factions who still want me silenced."
"But this is your moment, Doctor. You've saved lives. You've earned it."
Nora nodded thoughtfully. "Then we'll go. But we'll go prepared."
---
Location: Tavara – Unknown Location
A dark room. A single monitor. A figure leaned forward, face obscured, watching a replay of Damien killing Vincent Blaire.
The voice on the other end of the call was sharp.
"You saw it. Blaire's gone. And Lane's still breathing."
The figure didn't flinch. "Let him breathe. Let him feel the weight of victory. Then we remind him... shadows never die. They evolve."
The screen changed—now showing a blueprint. A building labeled: Summit Pavilion – Central European Headquarters.
The voice on the line paused. "You want to strike... during the Global Health Summit?"
The figure leaned closer, voice cold and deliberate.
"No. I want her to watch the world burn... and know she lit the first match by trusting Lane."